KIBOGA, Uganda — The High Court sitting in Kiboga has convicted Prison Warder Anguyo Moses on seven criminal charges after he pleaded guilty to four counts of murder, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of threatening violence.
The case arose from a shooting incident at Kiboga Government Prison on February 23, 2026, in which four people were killed.
Those killed were identified as ASP Catherine Hope, Police Officer 1 (PO1) Akishuri Bright, Ayebare Sarah and Niwagaba Salson, who was Sarah’s infant son.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Anguyo entered guilty pleas to all seven charges on August 31, leading the High Court to convict him.
The court is expected to sentence him on September 1, 2026, after hearing from the families of the deceased, Uganda Prisons Service and members of the community affected by the killings.
The prosecution has asked the court to impose the maximum sentence of death.
Shooting at Kiboga Prison
According to the prosecution, Anguyo was on duty at Sentry “A” at Kiboga Government Prison on February 23 when he got into a confrontation with his supervisors during an inspection.
He was reportedly armed with an SMG rifle, serial number UG POL 565824781-32635, while on duty.
The prosecution alleged that Anguyo had been found using a mobile phone while on duty, contrary to prison regulations and operational directives.
When he was ordered to hand over the firearm, he allegedly became violent, cocked the weapon and pointed it at SP Niwagaba Ivan, the Officer in Charge of Kiboga Government Prison.
The firearm reportedly malfunctioned initially. Anguyo allegedly re-cocked it and fired at Niwagaba, who escaped unharmed.
The shooting then turned deadly.
According to the prosecution, Sarah Ayebare and her infant son, Salson Niwagaba, were inside a vehicle in the prison yard when Anguyo allegedly shot them.
He is also accused of shooting ASP Catherine Hope inside a toilet at the District Health Officer’s premises.
When PO1 Bright Akishuri responded to the sound of gunfire, reportedly believing that prisoners were escaping, the prosecution alleged that Anguyo shot him dead.
Four people were therefore killed during the incident.
Alleged robberies after shooting
After the shooting, the prosecution said Anguyo fled the prison and went to Saza Trading Centre, where he allegedly committed two armed robberies.
He is accused of stealing a pair of black jeans belonging to Kamusiime Grace and an Arsenal jersey belonging to Nabayiga Mary while armed with the SMG rifle.
He allegedly later removed his prison uniform, abandoned the firearm in a bush in Kibiga Sub-County and continued his escape.
The prosecution said Anguyo travelled to Arua before crossing into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He was eventually arrested in Aru, DRC, during a joint Uganda-DRC security operation and brought back to face the charges in Uganda.
Court to hear victims before sentencing
Following Anguyo’s guilty pleas, the High Court convicted him on all seven charges.
The prosecution and defence have already made their submissions concerning sentencing.
The prosecution has asked the court to impose the maximum penalty, but the final sentence will be determined by the High Court after considering the circumstances of the case and the submissions before it.
The court will also hear from victims’ families, Uganda Prisons Service and the affected community before delivering its decision.
Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga is presiding over the case.
The ODPP is represented by Dr Daisy Nabasitu, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, and Stephen Arion, Senior State Attorney.
Anguyo is represented by Counsel Swaibu Male and Counsel Cate Nakamya.
The case has also placed attention on the responsibilities of armed officers and prison warders while on duty, particularly the consequences of abandoning established command procedures.
For the families of the four people killed, however, the proceedings are about more than prison discipline.
They are about what happened on February 23 and what justice should look like after four lives were lost.
The court is expected to deliver the sentence on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
